The Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmed Al-Hajjar, stated during his inspection of the site of the collapsed building in Al-Qubba – Tripoli, in an interview on “Red TV”, that the Governor of the North will submit the file of the collapsed buildings in Tripoli to the Ministry of Interior, and then it will be referred to the Council of Ministers to take the necessary decisions. He pointed out that he had previously brought this file to the council table several times.
Al-Hajjar added: “Today I am in direct contact with His Excellency the Prime Minister and His Excellency the President of the Republic, and God willing, during the next few days the necessary funding will be secured to address this problem.”
He stressed that the top priority at the present time is saving lives, saying: “The most important thing we are focusing on now is the safety of people, and saving those still under the rubble, and we hope that we will be able to get them out alive.”
Regarding citizens living in buildings threatened by collapse, the minister explained that the local authorities, in coordination with the relevant agencies, will request the evacuation of these buildings in order to preserve public safety. He added: “We are fully aware of people’s suffering and their questions: Where do we go? Who will compensate us? This is a fundamental concern for us.”
Al-Hajjar pointed out that the legal responsibility for restoring buildings falls on the owners, but the inability of many of them to do so prompted the state to intervene and take control of this file. He stressed that the next few days will witness a different and more serious approach that will lead to tangible results to save the lives of citizens and secure a minimum level of decent living for them.
Regarding the engineering survey file, the minister revealed that the survey had previously been completed almost completely, and submitted it to the Council of Ministers in April 2025, where it was then decided to assign the Higher Relief Commission to complete it in detail with the help of specialized engineers.
He added that the Northern Governorate began some time ago with a new survey, which was supposed to be completed and submitted, expecting it to be ready early next week, with an effort to complete it within two days to quickly present it to the Council of Ministers and take the appropriate decision.
Minister Al-Hajjar continued: “I understand the people’s cry and pain. Tripoli is in pain, and Tripoli cannot be in pain while we are comfortable. I came here to observe closely. Yes, the state bears its responsibilities, and if there is any negligence, this negligence must end.”
Regarding shelter, the minister confirmed that there are shelter allowances and designated centers ready to receive the affected families temporarily, indicating that the governorate has confirmed its readiness, and that the Higher Relief Commission will pay the shelter allowances.
He revealed that he will go directly after the field tour to the Tripoli Governorate Center to hold a meeting with all those concerned to discuss emergency measures, with comprehensive treatments to be completed as of next week.
The minister concluded his speech by emphasizing that cooperation between the state and citizens is the basis for preventing the recurrence of these tragedies, saying: “The state’s goal is to protect people’s safety, and citizens must respond when they are asked to evacuate threatening buildings, and in return the state must provide them with a minimum level of decent living. The state will not leave the people of Tripoli, and all efforts will be completed to radically address this disaster and its causes.”
